Palantir CEO claims AI ‘will eliminate’ jobs in the humanities, but assures there will be ‘plenty of opportunities’ for those with technical or vocational skills

The Evolving Value of Skills in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly capable of handling complex tasks such as programming and research, many economists and thought leaders argue that abilities like creative thinking and critical analysis will become even more essential. For instance, Benjamin Shiller, an economics professor at Brandeis, recently shared his belief that a so-called “weirdness premium”—unique and unconventional thinking—will be highly prized in tomorrow’s workforce. However, Alex Karp, CEO and cofounder of Palantir, offers a contrasting perspective.

During a discussion with CEO Larry Fink at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Karp expressed a stark view: “It will eliminate jobs in the humanities,” he said, reflecting on how AI might reshape employment. Using himself as an example, Karp remarked that having a background in philosophy from a prestigious institution may not be enough to secure a job in the future unless one possesses additional, marketable skills.

Karp’s own academic journey took him from Haverford College, a selective liberal arts school near Philadelphia, to earning a law degree from Stanford and a doctorate in philosophy from Goethe University in Germany. He recalled his uncertainty about landing his first job after such an education.

He told Fink, “I remember wondering who would be willing to hire me for my first position.”

This sentiment echoes Karp’s previous remarks regarding graduates from elite universities who lack specialized expertise. In a past interview, he questioned the prospects for those with broad but non-specific knowledge.

Speaking with Axios in November, Karp stated, “If you’re the type who would have attended Yale, with a traditionally high IQ and general knowledge but no specialization, you’re in trouble.”

Differing Views on Liberal Arts Graduates

Not all business leaders share Karp’s outlook. In 2024, BlackRock COO Robert Goldstein told that the company actively seeks candidates with backgrounds unrelated to finance or technology, such as English or history.

Similarly, Bob Sternfels, global managing partner at McKinsey, recently told Harvard Business Review that the firm is increasingly interested in liberal arts graduates as a source of creativity, hoping to break away from the linear problem-solving approaches typical of AI.

Emphasizing Practical Skills and Meritocracy

Karp has consistently advocated for vocational education over traditional academic degrees. Last year, Palantir introduced a Meritocracy Fellowship, which offers paid internships to high school students, with the possibility of full-time employment after four months.

In announcing the program, Palantir criticized American universities for what it described as indoctrination and opaque admissions processes that undermine merit and excellence.

Karp has also emphasized that, at Palantir, educational pedigree is irrelevant: “Whether you didn’t attend college, went to a lesser-known school, or graduated from Harvard, Princeton, or Yale, once you join Palantir, your background doesn’t matter—you’re part of the team,” he said during a Q2 earnings call.

Rethinking How Talent Is Measured

In his conversation with Fink, Karp argued for new methods of evaluating potential. He cited the example of a former police officer who attended a community college and now oversees the U.S. Army’s Maven system, an AI platform developed by Palantir to analyze drone footage.

“Traditional ways of measuring aptitude would have overlooked the unique and indispensable skills of such individuals,” Karp explained.

He also mentioned technicians at a battery manufacturing company, noting that these employees are extremely valuable, if not irreplaceable, because they can quickly adapt and grow into new roles.

Karp described his daily work at Palantir as identifying people’s exceptional talents and ensuring they focus on those strengths, rather than spreading themselves too thin.

Skills Gap and the Future of Work

Karp’s remarks come at a time when many employers are reporting a disconnect between the abilities job seekers possess and the skills companies need. The unemployment rate for Americans aged 16 to 24 reached 10.4% in December, and joblessness is on the rise among recent college graduates. Despite these challenges, Karp remains optimistic.

He believes there will be ample employment opportunities, particularly for those with hands-on, vocational training.

This article was originally published on Fortune.com